Two remote F-M students test positive for COVID-19

Fayetteville-Manlius School District officials recently learned that two students who are attending school remotely have tested positive for COVID-19. 

On Friday, Oct. 2, F-M officials learned that a Wellwood Middle School student who has been attending school remotely since the start of the 2020-21 school year has tested positive for the virus. On Oct. 7, the district was informed that a remote Fayetteville-Manlius High School student has also tested positive.

For the middle school case, Onondaga County Department of Health officials believe virus exposure was limited due to the student’s fully-remote academic schedule; however, contact tracing efforts determined that some F-M middle school students and coaching personnel could have been exposed to the virus during a modified athletic team’s practice session.

County health officials have reached out to those individuals they felt were at risk for possible exposure. During the virus’ infectious window, all student-athletes were following proper safety protocols, including wearing face coverings and adhering to social distancing guidelines, according to Scott Sugar, F-M’s director of physical education and athletics.

On Oct. 7, Mr. Sugar said contact tracing efforts and the requisite quarantines related to the middle school case are complete; no new cases of COVID-19 as a result of this potential exposure have been reported.